Today’s scripture: John 9:13-41 (NRSV) (The Message)
As you read, consider: What might God be saying to me in this passage? Summarize your thoughts in a sentence or two.
My thoughts (Tom Chittenden):
As a follow-up to Is God Still Speaking? from February 17, and in light of the dialogue contained in today’s scripture, I would like to propose another question. Is God Still Working Miracles Today?
Stop. Ask God. “Are miracles still possible today?”
Listen. “What might God be saying to me in response to my question?”
Possible answer. “Whatever you choose to believe about miracles happening today — then it is so!”
Isn’t it ironic that the spiritual blindness of the Pharisees prevented them from seeing the reality of a miracle? Question after question, posturing, accusations, examination, third-party testimony, hurling insults, denying the obvious, mocking and exclusion — but the truth remained, “Whether what you say about Jesus is true or not, this one thing I do know. I was blind but now I see.” (vs. 25). The Pharisees chose to remain in the darkness even as the formerly-blind man basked in the light.
Would you now consider that God (Who is Supreme Love) created us for one purpose, and that is to Love? Consider the possibility that our life’s purpose is to remember who we are, how and why we were created and that our spiritual journey is all about intentionally focusing on resisting our ego’s attempts to control, manipulate, repress, or create separation by fear, intimidation, and prejudice.
In “denying ourself” we dispel darkness and allow the Kingdom of God, the Light of Love, to fill the space in our life created by our choice. It might not be as newsworthy as healing the lame, raising the dead or restoring sight to the blind, but it is a miracle when we allow the power of God’s Spirit to transform the darkness within — to renew our minds so that we learn to “have the same mind that was in Christ.”
When we resort to taking on the role of a victim and lose our identity as a child of God — wondering “why does this always happen to me?” — remember the man who was born blind. It was not because he or his parents sinned, but that the work of God might be displayed in his life (9:2-3). If we begin to observe our thoughts, change our feelings about the wrong conclusions we have about our circumstances, change our life’s direction (repentance), the magnificent grace of God will perform a miracle within us. This is a promise. Guaranteed.
Thought for the day: I can co-create with God a better reality for my life! Yes, miracles can happen today.
Today, let’s join together in prayer, asking God, “What did You think of this past week? Where could I have done better, or allowed more of Your light to shine?”
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. Use the item above as a starting point, or consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.